Waves on a String

The simulation, Waves on a String, at the PhET web site, gives you an opportunity to explore wave motion. Follow the link, click Run Now, and try out the features of the simulation!

PhET Screenshot

Now that you have learned some of the controls of the simulation, try these scenarios to make sure you understand fundamental properties of waves:

1. Set the source to "Manual" and send a pulse with "damping" set at 100, 50, and 0, and compare the results.
2. Set the source to "Manual" and send a pulse with the "tension" set at medium, high, and low, and compare the results.
3. Set the source to "Pulse" and send a pulse for a) Fixed End, b) Loose End, and c) No End, and compare the results.
4. Set the source to "Oscillate" and change the sliders labeled a) "amplitude", and b) "frequency", and compare the results.
5. Set the source to "Oscillate" and turn the Rulers on. Move the vertical ruler next to any green dot on the chain, and move the horizontal ruler to the mid-line of the chain. Pause the simulation at various times and record the position of that green dot. What patterns did you discover?

We will now turn our attention to Sound waves, with this PhET simulation! (Start on the tab called Listen to a Single Source.)

PhET Sound Simulation

How are these waves different from the Waves on a String? How are they similar?